Soil profile

1. Department of GeologyDepartment of Geology
By:-By:-
Shamshad SheikhShamshad Sheikh
M.Sc.M.Sc.

2. Introduction of Soil ProfileIntroduction of Soil Profile
A soil horizon makes up a distinct layerA soil horizon makes up a distinct layer
of soil. The horizon runs roughly parallel toof soil. The horizon runs roughly parallel to
the soil surface and has different propertiesthe soil surface and has different properties
and characteristics than the adjacent layersand characteristics than the adjacent layers
above and below. The soil profile is a verticalabove and below. The soil profile is a vertical
section of the soil that depicts all of itssection of the soil that depicts all of its
horizons.horizons.

3. Soil HorizonsSoil Horizons

4. O) Organic surface layer: Litter layer of plant residues, the
upper part often relatively undecomposed, but the lower
part may be strongly humified.
A) Surface soil: Layer of mineral soil with most
organic matter accumulation and soil life. Additionally, due
to weathering, oxides (mainly iron oxides) and clay
minerals are formed and accumulated. It has a
pronounced soil structure. But in some soils, clay minerals,
iron, aluminium, organic compounds, and other
constituents are soluble and move downwards. When this
eluviation is pronounced, a lighter coloured E subsurface
soil horizon is apparent at the base of the A horizon. A
horizons may also be the result of a combination of
soil bioturbation and surface processes that winnow fine
particles from biologically mounded topsoil. In this case,
the A horizon is regarded as a "biomantle".

5. B) Subsoil: This layer has normally less organic
matter than the A horizon, so its colour is
mainly derived from iron oxides. Iron oxides
and clay minerals accumulate as a result of
weathering. In a soil, where substances move
down from the topsoil, this is the layer, where
they accumulate. The process of accumulation
of clay minerals, iron, aluminium and organic
compounds, is referred to as illuviation. The B
horizon has generally a soil structure.

6. C) Substratum: Layer of non-indurated poorly
weathered or unweathered rocks. This layer may
accumulate the more soluble compounds like
CaCO3. Soils formed in situ from non-indurated
material exhibit similarities to this C layer.
R) Bedrock: R horizons denote the layer of
partially weathered or unweathered bedrock at
the base of the soil profile. Unlike the above
layers, R horizons largely comprise continuous
masses (as opposed to boulders) of hard rock
that cannot be excavated by hand. Soils
formed in situ from bedrock will exhibit strong
similarities to this bedrock layer.

7. Soil Texture and CompositionSoil Texture and Composition
The inorganic portion of soil is made of
many different size particles, and these
different size particles are present in
different proportions. The combination
of these two factors determines some of
the properties of the soil.

8. • AA permeablepermeable soil allows water to flow throughsoil allows water to flow through
it easily because the spaces between theit easily because the spaces between the
inorganic particles are large and wellinorganic particles are large and well
connected. Sandy or silty soils are consideredconnected. Sandy or silty soils are considered
‘light’ soils because they are permeable,‘light’ soils because they are permeable,
water-draining types of soils.water-draining types of soils.
• Soils that have lots of very small spaces areSoils that have lots of very small spaces are
water-holding soils. For example, when clay iswater-holding soils. For example, when clay is
present in a soil, the soil is heavier, holdspresent in a soil, the soil is heavier, holds
together more tightly, and holds water.together more tightly, and holds water.
• When a soil contains a mixture of grain sizes,When a soil contains a mixture of grain sizes,
the soil is called athe soil is called a loamloam (figure 1).(figure 1).

9. Fig 1. Loam Soil

10. When soil scientists want to preciselyWhen soil scientists want to precisely
determine soil type, they measure thedetermine soil type, they measure the
percentage of sand, silt, and clay. They plotpercentage of sand, silt, and clay. They plot
this information on a triangular diagram, withthis information on a triangular diagram, with
each size particle at one corner (figure 2).each size particle at one corner (figure 2).
The soil type can then be determined from theThe soil type can then be determined from the
location on the diagram. At the top, a soillocation on the diagram. At the top, a soil
would be clay; at the left corner, it would bewould be clay; at the left corner, it would be
sand, and at the right corner it would be silt.sand, and at the right corner it would be silt.
Soils in the lower middle with less than 50%Soils in the lower middle with less than 50%
clay are loams.clay are loams.

11. Figure 2. Soil types by particle size.

12. Thanks !Thanks !